Australia's human rights scrutiny regime : democratic masterstroke or mere window dressing? /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:Fletcher, Adam, author.
Imprint:Carlton, Victoria : Melbourne University Press, 2018.
©2018
Description:1 online resource
Language:English
Series:MUP academic
MUP academic monograph series.
Subject:Human rights -- Australia.
Human rights.
Australia.
Electronic books.
Format: E-Resource Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/12399289
Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:9780522874129
0522874126
Digital file characteristics:text file EPUB 19.1MB
Notes:Includes bibliographical references and index.
National edeposit: Available online with temporary download restriction until 24 June 2020 Unrestricted online access.
Print version record.
Summary:In 2010 the Australian Government decided that it would not propose a Human Rights Act, despite the relevant recommendation of the 2008-09 National Human Rights Consultation. Instead, it introduced a Human Rights Framework comprising several measures to enhance human rights protection, including theHuman Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011. The scrutiny regime under that Act was designed to ensure rights would be given due consideration before Commonwealth legislation was passed. The Act created a unique 'bipartite dialogue' system, involving a formal interchange on rights compatibility between the executive and Parliament, while excluding the courts. This set the Commonwealth apart from jurisdictions such as the ACT, Victoria, New Zealand and the UK, which have statutory rights instruments administered by their courts. The book presents a detailed study of all aspects of the scrutiny regime, and compares the regime with its closest counterparts overseas. In assessing the regime's impact, it argues that a system in which the executive and Parliament are responsible both for protecting rights and for remedying rights breaches is neither more legitimate nor more effective than one involving all three branches of government. Accordingly, it calls for strengthening reforms.
Other form:Print version: Fletcher, Adam. Australia's human rights scrutiny regime. Carlton, Victoria : Melbourne University Press, 2018 9780522874112
Table of Contents:
  • Intro; Title; Copyright; Contents; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; Preface; Introduction; 1. Rights protection in Australia: overview and history; 2. Australia's Human Rights Framework: a unique rights protection system; 3. Statements of Compatibility with human rights; 4. Joint Committee on Human Rights: the first four years; 5. The impact of the human rights scrutiny regime; Conclusion; Appendix 1: Commonwealth Statements of Compatibility with Human Rights 2012-2015; Appendix 2: Ministerial Reponses to Joint Committee on Human Rights Queries 2012-2015; Bibliography; Index